Western meadowlarks fighting over nesting territory in Kamloops.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Lyn MacDonald
April 14, 2023 - 6:00 AM
Migratory birds are showing up in Kamloops and the Okanagan to mate and make nests, and photographers are capturing them on camera, eating, singing, flirting and fighting.
“Spring migration is well under way with millions of birds arriving and an increase in reports coming in the past few evenings,” said Kurtis Huston with Wild Birds Unlimited in Kamloops.
Huston said the majority of the birds already here are western meadowlarks and mountain bluebirds, with western tanagers and white-crowned sparrows just starting to arrive, and warblers won’t be far behind.
“The biggest influx of migratory birds are due to arrive next week through to the third week in May,” he said.
Western meadowlarks are of the blackbird family with bright yellow breasts crossed by a black v-shaped band, and a unique call. Their nests are partly covered by grass and some have entrance tunnels. The males usually have two mates at the same time. The females do all the incubating and brooding, and most of the feeding of the young.
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Mountain bluebirds are small thrushes with round heads and thin bills, lankier and longer-winged than other bluebirds. They take on human-altered habitats, nesting in bluebird boxes and foraging in pastures. The females focus more on good nest sites than males, choosing a mate on the basis of the locations and quality of the nest he offers her. The males often feed the females while they’re incubating and brooding. The birds compete fiercely with other birds for nest sights, arriving early in spring to get the best spots.
Mountain bluebird eating in Grand Forks.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Peter Kalasz
Western tanagers are stocky songbirds with short bills and medium-length tails. The males are yellow with black wings and an orange-red head, while the females have red on their face and yellow-green bodies. The males often perform an eye-catching courtship display where they tumble past a female flashing yellow and black feathers.
Western tanagers are starting arrive in Kamloops.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Lyn MacDonald
White-crowned sparrows come in large numbers from Southern California to Alaska and some live in parts of the west all year round. They have black and white heads and grey breasts. The males do most of the singing usually while fighting over breeding territories or food.
READ MORE: iN PHOTOS: Mountain bluebirds are back brightening up Kamloops, Okanagan
“People will see blackbirds, then warblers, sparrows and hummingbirds arriving,” Huston said. “The tanagers will be numerous from the middle to the end of May. All of these birds can show up at any time.”
Go here for more information on migratory birds in British Columbia.
White-crowned sparrow in Kamloops last spring, 2022.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Valerie Walsh
Redwing blackbird calling out in Kelowna.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Dean Pratley
Western meadowlark calling out from sagebrush in Kamloops.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Bob Scheer
Mountain bluebird near Sparkling Hills Resort in Vernon.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Doug Giles
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